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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female leader is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

It's also apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.